Your guinea pig is an herbivore, which means he eats only plant material. Herbivores need to have food moving constantly through their digestive systems. A diet of mostly hay provides the fibre necessary to do this. Add fortified pellets daily to round out your guinea pig's healthy diet. Your guinea pig must have the right mix of hay, nutrients and treats to avoid health problems. Hay is absolutely vital to the digestive health of your guinea pig. It prevents obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom. Unless the hay in your pet's habitat is soiled, do not replace it. Replacing it could encourage picky eating! Hay should make up the majority of your pet's daily diet. Resist offering the same type of hay. Offer a variety of hay for optimum health. Hay is a product of nature, so it's normal for each bag to look and feel different. We recommend keeping on hand at least two of these Oxbow varieties of all-natural farm-fresh hay: Western Timothy, Orchard Grass, Oat Hay, Alfalfa Hay and Botanical Hay.

Pellets A complete fortified pellet helps you make sure your pet is getting all the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy diet. A high-fibre pellet made from hay is best for your guinea pig.

Also, providing these tempting foods in abundance along with healthy foods could encourage your pet to choose tastier, less healthy foods over healthy hays and pellets.

Treats are a great way to bond with your guinea pig. You love giving treats and he loves eating them! However, the main purpose of a treat should be to encourage interaction between you and your guinea pig. Offering too many treats can encourage your pet to refuse basic foods and rob him of nutrition. Offer all-natural treats only after your guinea pig eats basic foods.

Greens and vegetables also are tasty, enriching supplements, because they are a good source of water and offer a variety of textures. Avoid iceberg lettuce and limit the following foods: spinach, collard greens, parsley, kale, dandelion greens and mustard greens.

As with any new food, be sure to introduce new vegetables slowly to avoid upsetting your pet's stomach and causing diarrhea. Pellets made with timothy grass meal provide a lower level of protein, calories, and calcium than traditional alfalfa pellets. Cavy Cuisine's optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio also helps maintain a healthy urinary system. Pellets also provide balanced nutrition in every bite and prevent selective feeding behaviors.

Guinea pigs require daily supplementation with Vitamin C. Cavy Cuisine contains a stabilized form of vitamin C that has a 12 month shelf life. To guarantee that your guinea pig is consuming an adequate amount of Vitamin C, be sure your pet is eating the amount of Cavy Cuisine indicated on the feeding instructions. If your guinea pig is consuming less than the amount listed, you may need to supplement with Oxbow's Daily Vitamin C

My Guinea-pig, Bessie has suffered from diarrhoea for over four months and many vets have checked her for infections, overgrown teeth, bloating, parasites, you name it. I have spent hours on the net looking up different conditions and specialist foods. It is only since changing to Cavy Cuisine that I have seen an improvement in her condition and it is now two weeks since she last had an attack. As she is on green stuff as well, I can only assume it is the Cavy Cuisine I have to thank for her improved condition. Fantastic result!

Rate

Colette M-H27-11-2013

best food for guinea pigs

I have yet to find a guinea pig diet that is higher quality than this one. My guinea pigs love it and I am happy in the knowledge they are getting a balanced diet.